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The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson January 1, 1786 Thomas Jefferson would put the passage of this law as one of his greatest accomplishments. Although Jefferson wrote the measure, it was James Madison who ushered it through the Virginia legislature. Jefferson argued that the Lord’s way is to allow humans to find their way to Him, not through revelation or blind faith but through reason: The “holy author of our religion, who being lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Mrs. Samuel H. Smith, August 6, 1816

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Mrs. Samuel H. Smith, August 6, 1816

Thomas Jefferson August 6, 1816 After a friend reports that she’d heard that Jefferson had become religious, Jefferson scathingly explains that his views had long been mischaracterized by his enemies. have received, dear Madam, your very friendly letter of July 21st, and assure you that I feel with deep sensibility its kind expressions towards myself, and the more as from a person than whom no others could be more in sympathy with my own affections. I often call to mind…

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Draft of The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

Draft of The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson January 1, 1779 This was Jefferson’s original draft of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. This version placed a greater emphasis on “reason” as the path to God. For instance, the legislature ultimately deleted the idea that God had chosen to “extend it by its influence on reason alone.” The bill, amended, was passed in 1785, while Jefferson was in Paris. SECTION I. Well aware that the opinions and belief of men depend not on their own will,…

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